Kocer joins Jacks

South Dakota State and the
wrestling coaching staff announced the addition of Alex Kocer to the Jackrabbit
wrestling team.

Kocer is a South Dakota
five-time state champion from Wagner, S.D. As a student at SDSU, Kocer was
undecided about wrestling at the collegiate level, which changed with the
seasons.

"I was not even sure I
wanted to wrestle when I first came to school," Kocer said. "Wrestling season
came around and I was watching my brother wrestle and I wanted to do it. I
talked to head coach Chris Bono, attended a couple duals and Coach Bono lined everything
up. He was very helpful throughout the entire process. It was no time and I was
practicing again."

Kocer won the 152-pound
Class B state title as a senior in 2012 en route to an undefeated season
(44-0). He first climbed the championship ladder in 2008 at 103 pounds and won
three titles between his first and last (2009 at 118 pounds, 2010 at 130 and
2011 at 152).

"Success ran in the family,"
said Kocer. "My older brother was a (three-time state champion) and I was
raised with state champions. It was a dynasty of sorts. I hated losing, worked
hard, tried my best and was able to win."

Kocer finished his career as
one of three five-time state champions, one title behind Kirk Wallman and Logan
Storley for most in a prep career. And while success is one reason for his
return, the coaching staff provided another reason.

"(Coach Bono) is a great
guy," Kocer said. "You know you are going to work hard because he wants you to
be on the winning side. He is a good coach and very relational. The entire
coaching staff is a positive."

In effect, Kocer joins next
year's recruiting class, already touted as one of the best in the nation (The
Open Mat, Amateur Wrestling News).

Eight student-athletes
joined the Jackrabbit wrestling team on signing day in November, including
three ranked by Amateur Wrestling News. Brandon Brunner, Hank Goettl, Colin
Holler, Coltan Laganiere, Paul Mascarenas, Austin Oyen, Nathan Rotert and Matt
Seabold make up the best recruiting class in SDSU history.

The No. 6 ranking is the best
recruiting class for any sport in the history of Jackrabbit athletics.

"I started recently and do
not know everyone on the team, so I am not sure what to expect," said Kocer. "All
I know is I want to make it to the NCAA Championships, both individually and as
a team."

Kocer completed late addition to team roster in order to practice this semester. He is projected to
wrestle at 149 or 157 pounds.